Welcome to an 'inch of difference'.
"This inch in which we live." Richard Neville, Oz, 1971.

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Cameron's EU Speech + Updates

Being introduced by an American chap at Bloomberg London HQ who calls it "a milestone speech". We'll see.

Cameron begins with references to WW2 and 'the skies of London being lit by flames'. Attributing peace in Europe to the Elysee Treaty and the EU.

Now, the fall of the Berlin Wall. Calls it the 'central story' of the EU and references Churchill.

'The purpose of the EU today is not securing the peace but securing prosperity.' 'Global trade.'

I think I'll just post the full transcript when it's available. It's hard to know who he is addressing - it doesn't seem to be the British people. There are many soothing, reassuring words for his audience in Brussels but nothing yet that directly affects us. So far he's said nothing concrete and is still circling the mulberry bush with his airy-fairy, emotive language. I think it will take some effort to tease out anything of substance from his speech.

One thing's for sure, PMQs should be a hoot today.

UPDATE: Cameron said a couple of things that stand out: There is no European demos; The UK can go it alone. However, the majority of the final part of his speech is given over to pro-EU arguments why we should stay in and why we don't, apparently, want to be like Norway or Switzerland. He's started campaigning already and is trying to rebut arguments already levelled against him about the dismal likelihood of any re-negotiations. I find it hard to believe that he didn't show his speech to the colleagues in Brussels for prior approval; we'll need the usual dose of healthy sceptism when reviewing the transcript later. He's now taking questions from journos in the audience.

From media clips and reaction so far I don't find it impossible to think that Cameron might swing it and actually win the next GE on the basis of what he's just said. UKIP need to engage more; they need to say more than, 'this is a great victory; if it weren't for us Cameron wouldn't have said this,' which is what they're doing right now. They need to keep up the pressure and make sure Cameron doesn't backslide.

Mrs Bone, according to eurosceptic Peter Bone MP, is apparently 'singing in the bath'. That's the measure of the readily-appeased Conservative backbenchers.

UPDATE 2:

Here is the first reaction from a europrat - tweeted by Martin Schulz, unelected President of the European Parliament: (click to enlarge)

UPDATE 5:
EU Referendum has an excellent analysis. For some unknown reason I'm unable to get the EU Referendum blog to update automatically in the sidebar blogroll so I've put in their old and new websites - just click through for updated posts.

Hammy died; Sammy passed away from malnutrition; Suki was resurrected. Lucky ran away. Here's Lucky's brother, Chucky:"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare? Click my wheel to feed me.

"Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away;Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air.You'd better watch out!There may be dogs aboutI looked over Jordan, and I've seenThings are not what they seem.

That's what you get for pretending the danger's not real.Meek and obedient you follow the leaderDown well trodden corridors into the valley of steel.What a surprise!A look of terminal shock in your eyes.Now things are really what they seem.No, this is not a bad dream.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not wantHe makes me down to lieThrough pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by.With bright knives He releaseth my soul.He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.He converteth me to lamb cutlets,For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger.When cometh the day we lowly ones,Through quiet reflection, and great dedicationMaster the art of Judo,Lo, we shall rise up,And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water.

Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream.Wave upon wave of demented avengersMarch cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream.

Have you heard the news?The dogs are dead!You better stay homeAnd do as you're told.Get out of the road if you want to grow old."

Reform and revolutionary change that is undertaken without the explicit consent of the people, can only be maintained through force and repression.